The second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), was ruling. The assembly was vibrant with scholars, military leaders, companions of the Prophet (ﷺ), and many others gathered together. In the midst of this, a man entered and, with a firm yet measured voice, proclaimed: “O Umar! Fear Allah!” The entire assembly heard his words.
The gathering was struck with unease. How could anyone speak thus to the overall leader of the Muslims? They sought to silence the man. Yet it was Caliph Umar who intervened—not to reprimand the man, but to correct those trying to hush him. He asked: “Who could offer me better advice than this?”
Such scenes were not isolated moments; they were commonplace in the courts of Islamic rulers and Caliphs. When Abu Bakr (RA), the first Caliph, and Umar (RA), the second Caliph, assumed leadership, they addressed the people openly, saying: “If you see any mistake from me, correct it without hesitation.”
History records numerous instances of rulers being corrected by their subjects, showcasing the tremendous value placed on freedom of expression within early Islamic governance.
A Glimpse Into Islamic Freedom of Expression this tradition offers a small but powerful answer to the question: How much freedom of expression was guaranteed under Islamic rule? The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, through Article 19, grants every individual the right to freedom of expression.
Yet, long before such declarations emerged, Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) had fully recognized, articulated, and established this right — over 1,400 years ago. When we speak of freedom of expression, it is vital to recognize this towering historical contribution. For the Qur’an and Hadith consistently commanded humanity:
Think well, and speak well. Islam began with the command to read — a divine call that inherently promotes thought. Through reading, thinking emerges, and only those who think deeply can truly grasp the profound dignity of Islam. Islam and its Prophet (ﷺ) wished for every human being to read, think, and seek understanding. From beginning to end, Islam calls upon humanity to reflect, ponder deeply, and approach the faith with full awareness.
True belief, in Islam, is not born of blind faith. Rather, it is through thoughtful reflection, recognition of truth, and the conscious embrace of faith that one attains complete belief. Thus, Islam does not encourage the suppression of a thinking mind. On the contrary, it insists that faith must be expressed through words rooted in sincere, thoughtful conviction.
The Boundaries of Freedom
Yet Islam differs subtly from modern human rights declarations. It does not endorse the idea that under the banner of freedom of expression, anything and everything may be Said. Islam insists that no expression, however free, should unjustly harm another’s dignity even slightly.
This principle extends to journalism as well. Delivering truthful information to the public is a noble act in Islam. But doing so must never come at the cost of humiliating or defaming another. The Prophet’s (ﷺ) Farewell Sermon concluded with a majestic command: “Let those who are present convey this to those who are absent.” And earlier in the sermon, he emphasized: “Your blood, your property, and your honor are sacred to you, as sacred as this day, this month, and this place.”
Thus, conveying information must never involve violating another’s dignity. The Islamic discipline of Maqasid al-Shari‘ah — the higher objectives of Islamic law— centers profoundly around the protection of human dignity. No law sanctioned by Islamic teachings may trample a person’s dignity without just cause.
This principle applies across the board: in courts, in police stations, and in prisons. (However, this does not imply that even the gravest of criminals are afforded unconditional privacy. Exceptional serious crimes require different treatment.)
Dignity in the Age of Social Media
In an era where social media enables unchecked expression, Muslims must exercise great caution. Freedom must never become a license to harm another’s dignity or to degrade one’s own honor. These guiding principles were not recently formulated — Islam laid them down one and a half millennia ago. They remain binding on every Muslim, in every age.
Freedom of expression in Islam has always come with a responsibility: It is not to be used to violate the dignity of others. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught that “The greatest jihad is to speak the truth before a tyrannical ruler.” He commanded his followers to enjoin good and forbid evil — by hand if possible, by tongue if necessary, and at the very least, through hatred in the heart for wrongdoing. The Qur’an exhorts believers to engage in gentle, respectful dialogue with those who differ. It commands rulers to consult with their people and take their opinions seriously. Throughout Islamic history, caliphs were held accountable by the people.
Freedom — But With Limits
All freedom carries limits. Just as in modern nations citizens are free but bound by laws, freedom of expression also carries its rightful boundaries. The right to express oneself must never become a license to violate another’s dignity — whether that person is a man or a woman. This is a declaration the modern world must pay heed to.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) tied the preservation of human dignity directly to the right to life. He taught that it is not enough for humans merely to exist; they must live with dignity. A dignified life is the birthright of every human being. And it must never be stripped away.
The Unparalleled Islamic Ethos
Islamic governance meticulously taught the protection of every individual’s dignity and honor. Even the acts of worship in Islam aim to reinforce human dignity. Many Islamic laws and prohibitions exist solely to protect it. Islam instructs that protecting dignity must be pursued to its fullest extent.
Hence, Islam introduced a host of social conduct regulations: Backbiting, slander, spying, and fault-finding are all strictly prohibited. Mocking others, belittling them, even exposing their faults unnecessarily — all of these are forbidden.
Even when one is certain of another’s fault, Islam commands that it not be publicized unless there is an exceptional and legitimate need. The motivation behind all these prohibitions is simple: to safeguard human dignity. The Qur’an equates backbiting to eating the flesh of one’s dead brother — a chilling and powerful metaphor. Listening to backbiting is as sinful as speaking it. Spying on others, harboring enmity, and searching for their faults are categorically prohibited. Islam commands that people must not ridicule or belittle one another. Even when one finds fault, unless a compelling reason exists, it must not be spoken of to others. Hundreds of Qur’anic verses and thousands of Prophetic teachings deliver this consistent message: protect human dignity at all costs.
Justice for Violations of Dignity
Islam also prescribes strong punishments for those who violate another’s honor. For instance, if someone accuses another of adultery without producing four eyewitnesses, the accuser is to be given eighty lashes. Accusations must be backed by strong evidence — and even then, presented only in a court of law. The concept of defamation lawsuits only recently emerged in non-Muslim societies, and even now, not all nations uphold them. Even where such laws exist, they usually pertain to tangible damages like theft.
Some countries, like South Korea, have moved toward recognizing that even intangible harm to reputation deserves legal remedy — a truth Islam recognized fifteen centuries ago.
Muslims can rightly take pride in this legacy. Today’s celebrated declarations of human rights, though noble, often still fall short of this standard. Though the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights mentions human dignity, it fails to provide clear operational guidelines for its protection. Thus, the teachings of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) stand as a mighty beacon of strength and hope. It is our hope that one day, the entire world will rise to embrace this vision of dignity, justice, and true freedom.
